First, it is important to realize a drum kit is not really an instrument, it is a collection of several instruments. There are literally dozens of different types of drums and cymbals. A basic drum kit though will always have a few common pieces in it.
| Kick Drum |
First, the kick drum, sometimes referred to as the bass drum. This drum sits on the floor and and is typically hit with a foot pedal, also know as the kick pedal. Kick drums can range in size. Typically the larger the drum, the deeper the sound. An average size for a kick drum is 22" (That is the diameter).
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| Snare Drum |
The snare drum is the next major drum that you will find on all beginner drum kits. The snare drum is known for its cracking sound, made by several small metal threads that run across the bottom of the drum. A typical size for a snare drum is 14".
| Floor Tom |
| Top Toms |
The last type of drum that you will find on a standard kit is the tom. Toms come in all sizes and can sit on the top of the bass drum, or stand alone with legs (known as a floor tom). A typical drum kit has 1 or 2 top toms and a floor tom. When talking about an entire drum kit, a 4 piece drum kit has a kick, a snare, a top tom, and a floor tom. A 5 piece drum kit would have a kick, a snare, two top toms, and a floor tom. Toms come in all different sizes, but a typical size would be a 12" top tom and a 16" floor tom. If you have a 5 piece, the second top tom would typically be 14". The larger the tom, the deeper, or lower it will typically sound (this is also influenced a lot by how the drum is tuned).
Now onto cymbals. There are three types of cymbals that a beginner drummer will need. The hi-hat cymbals, crash cymbal, and ride cymbal.
| Hi Hat Cymbals |
The hi-hat cymbals are actually two cymbals that are used together. They open and close with a foot pedal. When open they create a big ringing sound, and when closed that create a crisp short sound. Hi Hat Cymbals are almost always either 13" or 14".
| Crash Cymbal/Ride Cymbal |
The crash cymbal is a loud typically bright cymbal that often sits over the snare cymbal. A crash cymbal can vary in size a lot, an average size would be between 14" and 16". The crash cymbal looks a lot like a ride, but the ride cymbal is usually a little thicker and larger.
New drum kits usually come in a pack. This will typically include the bass drum, snare drum, and toms (a 4 piece kit has 2 toms, a 5 piece kit has 3 toms). A drum pack will also include drum heads (what the drummer actually hits on the drum) Many drum packs do not have cymbals. When you are decided which kit to buy do not forget about the cymbals, as a cymbal pack can cost several hundred dollars.
Used drum kits will typically include all the needed hardware and cymbals. They will often have better drum heads on them which can really improve the sound of the drums. Used kits will also typically run cheaper. The 3 most important things to consider when you are buying a used drum kit are:
1. Are there any cracks or breaks on the wood of the drums.
2. Look closely at the center hole on the cymbals (this may involve taking them off their stand) and look closely at the outer edge of the cymbal for any small cracks (small cracks quickly become bigger cracks)
3. Look at the stands that the cymbals and snare drum sit on for any missing screws, or breaks that could make them unstable.
While there are hundreds of different drum kits and packs out their, and most of them relative to other kits in their price range are similar enough to where it is not the scope of this article to compare the differences of each kit, I will say you can easily find a great sounding drum kit for a beginner in the $400 - $600 range, new or used. The most important thing is to know what you need. Below is a check list you can take with you to make sure you walk out with all the parts that you drummer is going to need.
New drum kits usually come in a pack. This will typically include the bass drum, snare drum, and toms (a 4 piece kit has 2 toms, a 5 piece kit has 3 toms). A drum pack will also include drum heads (what the drummer actually hits on the drum) Many drum packs do not have cymbals. When you are decided which kit to buy do not forget about the cymbals, as a cymbal pack can cost several hundred dollars.
Used drum kits will typically include all the needed hardware and cymbals. They will often have better drum heads on them which can really improve the sound of the drums. Used kits will also typically run cheaper. The 3 most important things to consider when you are buying a used drum kit are:
1. Are there any cracks or breaks on the wood of the drums.
2. Look closely at the center hole on the cymbals (this may involve taking them off their stand) and look closely at the outer edge of the cymbal for any small cracks (small cracks quickly become bigger cracks)
3. Look at the stands that the cymbals and snare drum sit on for any missing screws, or breaks that could make them unstable.
While there are hundreds of different drum kits and packs out their, and most of them relative to other kits in their price range are similar enough to where it is not the scope of this article to compare the differences of each kit, I will say you can easily find a great sounding drum kit for a beginner in the $400 - $600 range, new or used. The most important thing is to know what you need. Below is a check list you can take with you to make sure you walk out with all the parts that you drummer is going to need.
- Bass drum with heads
- Snare drum with heads and snare stand
- Floor tom and either 1 or 2 top toms with heads (make sure you know how the toms mount to the bass drum
- Hi Hat Cymbal with stand and clutch (the clutch holds the top cymbal to the stand so it can be moved with the foot
- Crash cymbal and stand with a nut and felt pieces to hold the cymbal on the stand
- Ride cymbal and stand with a nut and felt pieces to hold the cymbal on the stand
- A drummers "thrown" or seat
- Drum sticks
Hope this helps and if you have any questions just leave a comment and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
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